September’s top 10 features five-year ACST-2 results, a new tool to assess amputation risk following popliteal vascular injury, and an interview highlighting the questions still to be answered regarding renal denervation in the treatment of hypertension.
Carotid artery surgery and stenting have comparable long-term effects on fatal or disabling stroke in asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis. That is the finding of late-breaking ACST-2 data presented in a Hot Line session at the European Society of Cardiology’s 2021 congress (ESC 2021; 27–30 August, virtual) and published simultaneously in The Lancet.
2. Study shows decreased mortality for patients with complex aortic aneurysms treated by F/BEVAR
A recent study revealed that endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms using fenestrated and branched endografts provides a safe and effective alternative to open surgical repair, with the lowest ever reported mortality rate in this patient population. This is according to researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston, Houston, USA) and Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute Aortic Center (Houston, USA).
3. Modern AAA metrics support expanding current screening guidelines
Results of a database review of more than 500,000 abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs revealed the majority of patients treated for rupture did not meet the criteria for aneurysm screening. These findings were reported in the August 2021 issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery.
4. BIOPACT head-to-head non-inferiority randomised controlled trial completes enrolment
Biotronik has completed enrolment of the investigator-initiated BIOPACT randomised controlled trial (RCT). This non-inferiority study evaluates the safety and efficacy of paclitaxel drug-coated balloons (DCBs), comparing the Biotronik Passeo-18 Lux paclitaxel-releasing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon catheter to the IN.PACT Admiral paclitaxel-coated PTA balloon catheter (Medtronic).
5. Medtronic receives CE mark for 200mm and 250mm IN.PACT Admiral DCBs
Medtronic has announced CE mark approval and the European launch of the 200mm and 250mm IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloons (DCBs). The product is intended to treat long complex femoropopliteal lesions efficiently in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The 200mm and 250mm IN.PACT Admiral DCB enables physicians to treat longer lesions using a single DCB instead of multiple DCBs.
6. Study provides new tool to assess amputation risk following popliteal vascular injury
A large, multicentre cohort study provides a simple, practical method to effectively stratify patients preoperatively into low- and high-risk major amputation categories.
7. Renal denervation: The most advanced and efficacious interventional approach to treat hypertension
Following the release of the European Society of Hypertension’s (ESH’s) updated position paper on renal denervation Konstantinos Tsioufis, professor of Cardiology at the University of Athens, Athens, Greece and immediate past president of ESH, discusses the use of renal denervation in the treatment of hypertension, considers the latest evidence in favour of the approach, and outlines the questions still to be answered.
8. Abbott expands peripheral vascular offerings with acquisition of Walk Vascular
Abbott recently announced that it has acquired Walk Vascular, a commercial-stage medical device company with a minimally invasive mechanical aspiration thrombectomy system designed to remove peripheral blood clots. Walk Vascular’s peripheral thrombectomy systems will be incorporated into Abbott’s existing endovascular product portfolio. Financial terms were not disclosed.
9. Terumo Aortic announces first commercial implants of RelayPro endovascular device in the USA
Following the recent approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the RelayPro thoracic stent graft system for the treatment of patients with fusiform and saccular aneurysms, and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs) in the descending thoracic aorta, Terumo Aortic has announced the first commercial implants of this device in the USA.
10. Vascular surgeons take on cycle challenge in aid of the Circulation Foundation
From 2–8 October this year, a team of vascular surgeons, nurses, and healthcare scientists will take on a 185-mile cycle challenge through the Outer Hebrides Islands off the coast of Scotland, UK, in a bid to raise awareness and funding for the Circulation Foundation.
